In the automotive ‘Book of Feuds’, few rivalries are as enduring or hard fought as that of opposing 4x4 heavyweights the Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser, with the latest round in this ongoing battle kicking off in Abu Dhabi following the reveal of the seventh-generation Y63 Nissan Patrol.

Promising to “raise the bar in terms of attention to detail, materials and fit and finish,” the all-new Patrol heralds a new chapter in the 73-year history of the iconic nameplate, and was unveiled at an exclusive event in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Now, as before, the Patrol delivers unmissable road presence, with its distinctive exterior styling marked by bold and sculpted lines, short approach and departure angles, and a distinctive silhouette planted solidly on 22-inch wheels.

Up front, Nissan’s signature V-motion grille is flanked by double C-shaped headlights incorporating Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) technology, while at rear is a full-width light bar.

Under that expansive bonnet is an engine hailed as the most powerful fitted to a Patrol thus far, a twin turbocharged 3.5-litre petrol V6 derived from the Nissan GT-R sports car that punches out an impressive 317kW and 700Nm.

That’s a handy 7% more power and 25% more torque than the outgoing 5.6-litre petrol V8 (298kW/560Nm), despite the V6 giving away more than 2.0 litres of cubic capacity.

Perhaps more importantly, given the V8 Patrol’s prodigious thirst for unleaded, the new V6 delivers 24% better fuel efficiency than the V8’s 14.4L/100km combined cycle figure, meaning it should be good for a more acceptable 10.9L/100km.

For buyers wanting better economy, some markets will also get a 3.8-litre naturally aspirated V6 that makes 236kW/386Nm, although Australia is not currently expected to take this engine.

As well as being more powerful and fuel-efficient, the big new Nissan should also be much quieter out on the road thanks to a new frame with greater torsional rigidity for decreased vehicle vibration, acoustic glass for noise isolation, and increased use of noise-suppressing materials in the cabin.

It'll be smoother and more responsive too, courtesy of a new nine-speed automatic transmission that’s operated via a sleek new button-operated E-shifter, or steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

There are six different drive modes to choose from, including Standard, Sand, Rock, Mud, Eco and Sport, plus a new 4WD transfer mode interlock system that allows the driver to seamlessly switch between modes while driving over different terrain.

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Adaptive air suspension and new e-damper technology that automatically adjusts the damper settings according to driving conditions should help harness the power of the new drivetrain, while ensuring plush on-road ride comfort and enhanced all-terrain capability.

The air suspension allows for several levels of adjustable ride height, including an access mode that drops the standard ride height by 70mm for ease of entry and egress, an aerodynamic mode for efficient highway driving, and a high-riding +140mm off-road mode for tackling tough terrain.

Inside, the top-end variant of the new Patrol boasts a meticulously crafted interior with quilted leather seats incorporating massage functionality and eight-way electric adjustment.

The first and second-row seats are also equipped with what Nissan describes as “NASA-inspired spinal support technology.”

A panoramic sunroof amplifies the sense of space inside the generously proportioned cabin, and rear-seat passengers can entertain themselves by streaming content or playing games on dual 12.8-inch screens.

The centrepiece of the Patrol interior is a striking 28.6-inch horizontal display, comprising twin 14.3-inch displays that provide a comprehensive view of navigation, entertainment and vehicle information.

The screen features touchscreen operation that helps to reduce the amount of physical switchgear, decluttering the dash and console area.

Nissan claims the screens also provide enhanced safety and situational awareness with features like ‘Ultra-Wide View’ – which expands the field of vision to 170 degrees and facilitates navigation in situations where visibility is restricted – and ‘Invisible Hood View’ which uses Invisible-to-Visible technology to provide a clear view of the area directly beneath the vehicle.

The Patrol is also equipped with a 3D Around View Monitor which offers a comprehensive 360-degree view of the vehicle’s surroundings, along with additional safety such as a Smart Rear View Mirror and Rear Zoom View that enhance rear visibility.

Other notable features include segment-first Biometric Cooling technology, designed to maintain optimal comfort regardless of external temperatures.

Available in select grades, the system uses an infrared sensor to detect the body temperature of front and second-row passengers, automatically adjusting airflow settings to provide intuitive cooling.

Other luxury touches on select variants include 64-colour ambient lighting system with customizable live backgrounds and a 12-speaker Klipsch Premium Audio system.

For families, Nissan is promising class-leading roominess, particularly in the second and third rows, with its EZ flex seat folding system providing easier access to the third row without removing a child seat.

The third row also features a power fold function that can be operated via the main touchscreen.

There’s also a claimed 30% more cargo space than the previous model, and an extra 9 litres of storage across the glove and console box.

Other practical enhancements include a power tailgate with hands-free opening, USB Type-C ports in every row, and a wireless phone charger in the front centre console.

Dimensionally, the new model is 35mm longer and slightly wider than the current model, measuring 5,205mm long, 2,030mm wide and 1,955mm tall, while riding on a 3,075mm wheelbase.

This compares with its rival the LandCruiser 300 Series which is 4,890mm long, 1,980mm wide and 1,950mm tall, while riding on a 2,850mm wheelbase.

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On the safety front, the Patrol’s new body structure is constructed with increased use of high-strength steel, for improved frontal crash and pedestrian protection.

There are seven airbags including a new driver’s knee airbags, plus a range of advanced chassis systems and electronic aids, including Vehicle Dynamic Control, Traction Control and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

Other notable safety tech includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Predictive Forward Collision Warning, and Rear Automatic Emergency Braking.

Also making its debut in the new Patrol is Nissan’s ProPILOT technology which brings adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance, and uses navigation data to adjust vehicle speed for curves and interchanges.

NissanConnect 2.0 is another hi-tech inclusion that integrates navigation, security, and entertainment into a unified technology platform.

It includes Google built-in which is designed to provide a more seamless interaction between a customer's digital life and the vehicle, reducing dependence on a mobile phone for features like navigation and entertainment.

Finally, the MyNISSAN app further enhances convenience by serving as a central hub for remote access and personalization – allowing drivers to remotely start the engine, adjust climate control settings and lock or unlock doors.

The app also allows drivers to monitor vehicle status, plan their journey, schedule maintenance and will send automatic alerts if the car is left unlocked, the windows are left open, or the vehicle has been tampered with.

Sadly, for Australian consumers, the new Y63 Patrol isn’t scheduled to make landfall here until late 2026, with Nissan prioritising left-hand drive markets including the Middle East and USA.

That leaves the V8-powered Y62 on the front line in the battle against its arch-rival the LandCruiser 300 Series, with the Patrol notching up a respectable 5,312 sales to the end of August this year, versus the LandCruiser’s dominant 11,181.

Given the long lead time until we see the new model here, any speculation about pricing is merely that. But it’s safe to assume the new model will comfortably eclipse pricing of the current Y62 Patrol, which starts at $88,900 (MRLP) for the Ti grade, and rises to $105,160 (MRLP) for the Patrol Warrior.

In the Middle East where the Patrol is now on sale, the range starts at US$65,000 (AU$96,500) and extends to US$105,000 (AU$156,000).